Graduates
Mugabe graduates from Fort Hare University, Alice, South Africa with Bachelor of Arts degree.
Co-founds ZANU
Mugabe co-founds Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) with Enos Nkala.
Nhamodzenyika Mugabe born
0 0 chrisu28 chrisu282015-07-02 04:06:292015-07-02 14:06:09Nhamodzenyika Mugabe bornArrested
Mugabe is arrested and sentenced to ten years imprisonment for opposing white-minority rule.
Elected president
Zimbabwe elects Mugabe as the first black prime minister in a landslide victory. Mugabe:
If yesterday I fought you as an enemy, today you have become a friend and ally with the same national interest, loyalty, rights and duties as myself. If yesterday you hated me, today you cannot avoid the love that binds you to me and me to you…Is it not folly, therefore, that in these circumstances anybody should seek to revive the wounds and grievances of the past? The wrongs of the past must now stand forgiven and forgotten. If ever we look to the past, let us do so for the lesson the past has taught us, namely that oppression and racism are inequities that must never again find scope in our political and social system. It could never be a correct justification that, because whites oppressed us yesterday when they had power, the blacks must oppress them today because they have power.
Changes constitution
Mugabe changes the constitution to become president and acquire additional powers.
Sally Mugabe dies age 61
Sally Mugabe dies from kidney failure. She is interred at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Zimbabwe.
EU impose sanctions
European Union foreign ministers agrees to impose sanctions against Zimbabwe, and to withdraw EU election monitors still in the country. Officials say the EU will cut off 128m euros in development aid.
The EU remains seriously concerned at political violence, serious violations of human rights and restrictions on the media …which call into question the prospects for a free and fair election.
Portugal and Greece are reported to have opposed the imposition of sanctions and to have favoured the continued pressure of EU monitors inside Zimbabwe.
Re-elected
The Zimbabwe registrar-general declares that Mugabe wins a fifth term in office after the results from all 120 constituencies are returned. Mugabe wins 1,685,212 votes against 1,258,401 for challenger Tsvangirai. Mugabe makes a net gain of votes compared with the 2000 parliamentary election in every province in the country. While there is evidence of vote tampering in some areas, most of the ballots dropped into the box with a cross by Mugabe’s name are not fraudulent. There is no criticism of the count, and election observers from South Africa, Nigeria and Namibia effectively endorsed the election. Namibian observer:
It is our considered view that the election was free and fair and reflects the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe. [The poll] was watertight, without room for rigging”.
Justice Minister Chinamasa:
This is a runaway victory. It was won on the issue of the land.
Tsavrangai:
We foresaw electoral fraud but not daylight robbery. We find ourselves unable to endorse the purported election of President Robert Mugabe as Zimbabwe’s president in this election. It’s the biggest election fraud I’ve witnessed in my life.
Commonwealth suspension
Zimbabwe is suspended from the Commonwealth for a year. Election observers find the elections which return Mugabe to power seriously flawed. South African president Mbeki, Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo and Australian prime minister Howard – announce the suspension following several hours of talks at Marlborough House in London. Howard:
The committee decided to suspend Zimbabwe from the councils of the Commonwealth for one year with immediate effect…This issue will be revisited in 12 months’ time, having regard to progress in Zimbabwe and report from the Commonwealth’s Secretary General…I have noted in the lead-up to this meeting that people have said repeatedly that this is a test for the Commonwealth as to whether it’s going to be consistent in its treatment. I believe we have been consistent in our treatment.
[There is strong support for the initiatives of the Nigerian and South African presidents] in encouraging a climate of reconciliation between the main political parties in Zimbabwe which they considered essential to address the issues of food shortages, economic recovery, the restoration of political stability, the rule of law and the conduct of future elections.
Orders white farmers to give up land
In a speech marking Heroes Day — celebrating victory over the old white regime — Mugabe gives a stern warning to white farmers that his government will stick to its policy of removing them from their land. Nearly 3,000 farmers have been told to leave their properties, although only 500 have left so far. Those who remain could be fined and jailed for up to two years for ignoring the eviction order. Mugabe says the August deadline will allow new owners of the land enough time to prepare and plant for the new crop season in October.
We set ourselves an August deadline for the redistribution of land and that deadline stands. All genuine and well-meaning white farmers who wish to pursue a farming career as loyal citizens of this country have land to do so, no farmer need go without land.
He also rejects allegations that international food aid has been diverted away from opposition supporters to his own followers.
We shall feed all. Even the stooges and puppets will have enough. No Zimbabwean should die of hunger.
Commonwealth withdrawal
Zimbabwe formally informs the Commonwealth of its withdrawal from the 54-nation group over its extended suspension.
The principles of equality, fair play and respect for the national sovereignty of member states for which the club stands have sadly been compromised…In the light of the…threats to its cherished and hard won independence and sovereignty, the Republic of Zimbabwe has chosen to terminate its membership of the Commonwealth effective from 7th December, 2003 rather than continue to subject itself to such racist humiliation, arbitrariness and arrogance.
Knighthood stripped
Mugabe is stripped of his knighthood by Prime Minister Brown as a symbolic gesture.
This action has been taken as a mark of revulsion at the abuse of human rights and abject disregard for the democratic process in Zimbabwe over which President Mugabe has presided.
Proposes to Obama
During his weekly interview with the national radio station, Mugabe mocks America’s decision to legalise gay marriage by vowing to travel to the White House and proposing to Barack Obama.
I’ve just concluded – since President Obama endorses the same-sex marriage, advocates homosexual people and enjoys an attractive countenance – thus if it becomes necessary, I shall travel to Washington, DC, get down on my knee and ask his hand. I can’t understand how this people dare to defy Christ’s explicit orders as our Lord prohibited mankind from sodomy.
Flood victims petition
Mugabe is petitioned by Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims who accuse his government of abandoning them. In a petition sent to his office, the villagers request Mugabe visit them so that he can see for himself the conditions at their new settlement.
We write this urgent appeal to you on behalf of 20 000 victims of the Tokwe-Mukosi floods who have been dumped at Nuanetsi ranch in Mwenezi. We do not have food and we are facing starvation,We feel like people in prison.Your government is treating us like second-class citizens and as if we are people with no rights,
Your government has forced us to settle on Nuanetsi ranch this place is not suitable for people to live. Despite promises, your government has failed to compensate many of us and allocate each family enough land (at least 5 hectares) for resettlement. Instead each family was allocated one hectare plot of land only, Your excellency, we ask you to come as soon as possible to Nuanetsi ranch to see for yourself the conditions we are living under.
Attends NY Ebola summit
Mugabe arrives in New York ahead of the United Nations International Ebola Recovery Conference, accompanied by First Lady Grace Mugabe, Health Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister and Finance Minister. They are expected to be confined within a 25-mile radius due to travel sanctions.
The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association is warning that the health delivery system in the country is deteriorating owing to government lax in controlling medical aid societies and alleged corruption, citing the auditor general’s report which alleged that local resources are being abused and are short changing patients.
Authorities hunt lion killer
Zimbabwean authorities are trying to find the hunter who killed Cecil. The 13-year old lion was found headless after being shot with a bow and arrow. Hunters then tracked the dying animal for 40 hours before they killed it with a rifle. Bait, in the form of a freshly killed animal, was used to tempt Cecil out of the park, a technique commonly used so that hunters can “legally” kill protected lions.
Cecil’s death is a tragedy, not only because he was a symbol of Zimbabwe but because now we have to give up for dead his six cubs, as a new male won’t allow them to live so as to encourage Cecil’s three females to mate. The two people who accompanied the hunter have been arrested but we haven’t yet tracked down the hunter, who is Spanish.
Zimbabwe bans hunting
Following the outrage over the killing of Cecil the Lion by Palmer, Zimbabwe bans the hunting of lions, leopards and elephants in the area frequently used by hunters. Bow and arrow hunts are also suspended unless hunters are approved by the National Parks and Wildlife Authority. The Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe stands to lose business $40 million a year from a ban.
Claims allies have lost confidence
MDC-T President Tsvangirai says Zanu PF is now in a dilemma as its ‘all-weather’ allies – the Chinese and Russians – have lost confidence in the party’s leadership under President Mugabe.
Zanu PF is in serious crisis because no investor across the world takes them seriously. Even the Chinese and Russians no longer trust them; that is why they are sceptical about investing in the country. What Zanu PF has only achieved is promoting politics of impunity, killing and destroying the economy and the once vibrant agricultural sector.
Tsvangirai tells supporters that his party will not boycott elections but will only take part in an election which will produce credible results.
We will only take part in an election which is conducted in a free and fair environment. We want a situation where, if Zanu PF wins the elections we shake their hands and say congratulations, and if MDC wins then they accept because change is imminent. We cannot take part in an election where the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission cannot run an independent process and is, instead, controlled by Zanu PF…We are still committed to peaceful means of taking power. Change is imminent now because people have suffered enough and they want change of political leadership.
We went into the GNU to save Zimbabweans and, later, Zanu PF decided to rule on their own but where is the country? Everything has virtually collapsed. We heard some of Zanu PF officials saying their party will rule forever; let them rule then.
Illegal lion kill accusation
Zimbabwe accuses Seski of illegally killing a lion. The wildlife authority says Seski killed the animal — without approval — with a bow and arrow on land where it was not allowed. A Zimbabwean landowner, who conducted the hunt, was arrested and is assisting police with their investigation. Although Seski added his name to a government database when he arrived in Zimbabwe, he was not granted permission to hunt lion. The wildlife authority:
When hunters come into the country they fill a document stating their personal details, the amount they have paid for the hunt, the number of animals to be hunted, the species to be hunted and the area and period where that hunt is supposed to take place. The American conducted his hunt in an area where lion hunting is outlawed. The landowner who helped him with the hunt also did not have a quota for lion hunting.